The Press: from a Christian view of leaders to Commodification

Robbie Griggs pointed me to this column by David Brooks.  I am struck by one paragraph:
Those of us in the press corps have to figure out how to treat this torrent of private kvetching. During World War II and the years just after, a culture of reticence prevailed. The basic view was that human beings are sinful, flawed and fallen. What mattered most was whether people could overcome their flaws and do their duty as soldiers, politicians and public servants. Reporters suppressed private information and reported mostly — and maybe too gently — on public duties.
Indeed, if Mr. Brooks is to be believed, the press' attitude towards our leaders was remarkably reticent and adult.  Which is as it should be.  Focus in politics should remain on policy.  Focusing on personal behavior unless clearly illegal diverts us from what matters to the rest of the world.  Sin is a commodity that sells newspapers (well that's not true, nothing sells newspapers these days) but it doesn't move our understanding forward of the underlying issues.

Don't get me wrong:  people can write about whatever they want but in a Christian world I would expect political conversations to focus on policy and public sins and count on personal relationships and pastors to deal with personal failings.

Our leaders are indeed not Saints and to place the demand for perfection ahead of the legitimate business of government is wrong.